How to Say “Get Addicted” in Spanish

By •
engancharse
/enɡant͡ʃaɾse/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'get addicted' is translated into Spanish as engancharse.
Engancharse is used to describe the process of becoming unable to stop doing or using something because it is very pleasing or habit-forming. While it can be used for serious addictions, it is very common in a colloquial sense to describe becoming hooked on a TV show, a song or a hobby.

What does it mean word for word?

The verb is formed from gancho (hook) and the reflexive suffix -se, literally meaning 'to hook oneself'.

Which one should you use?

Engancharse describes the process of becoming addicted, whereas ser adicto describes the state of being an addict. For more formal situations, you can use desarrollar dependencia to emphasize the process of developing a dependency or caer en la adicción to imply falling into addiction.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Engancharse is an informal or colloquial phrase. For a more informal way to express getting addicted, you can use viciarse. For formal contexts, use desarrollar dependencia or caer en la adicción.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Spain, engancharse is used frequently as an informal expression.

How does it change in a sentence?

As a reflexive verb, it requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate the person becoming addicted. For example, se enganchó means 'he/she/it got addicted'.

How do you pronounce it?

/enɡantʃaɾse/

Did you know?

  • In some Latin American countries, enganchar is used in a completely different sense to mean 'to hire' someone or 'to sign' them to a contract. This comes from the idea of 'hooking' a new employee into a company.
  • Depending on the country, saying you are enganchado to a person can shift the meaning from a general addiction to a romantic or obsessive attraction.
  • The term viciar does not just mean to get addicted, but can also mean to corrupt or spoil someone's character through bad habits.

Examples in context

  • La adicción a las drogas puede hacer que alguien se vuelva adicto.
    The addiction to drugs can make someone become addicted.
  • Puedes desarrollar dependencia de los juegos de azar si no tienes cuidado.
    You can develop a dependency on gambling if you're not careful.
  • Ten cuidado, puedes caer en la adicción al alcohol más fácilmente de lo que piensas.
    Be careful, you can fall into alcohol addiction more easily than you think.
  • Me enganché a esa serie de televisión y ahora no puedo parar de verla.
    I got hooked on that TV series and now I can't stop watching it.
  • Es fácil engancharse a ese nuevo videojuego.
    It is easy to get addicted to that new video game.

Example conversation

Sofía and Daniel are talking about a new TV series.

  1. Sofía

    Deberías ver esta serie, es increíble.
    You should watch this series, it is incredible.
  2. Daniel

    Tengo miedo de engancharse y no dormir.
    I am afraid of getting addicted and not sleeping.
  3. Sofía

    A mí ya me pasó lo mismo.
    The same thing already happened to me.
  4. Daniel

    Entonces veré solo un episodio hoy.
    Then I will watch only one episode today.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Steven Timothy
Steven TimothyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top